The shortness of life

 Most of my childhood was spent on dairy farms. There wasn't a lot of time to play with my friends although my brothers and sisters enjoyed play time. We moved from the farm the year I entered high school (1963) and moved into town. Suddenly, there was a lot more free time. One of the things I remembered doing during the summer was meeting with friends at an empty lot near our home and playing baseball on a makeshift field. That field now houses a retirement home, but in those days it was wide open. Our games ended at dusk because there were no lights, and that was the time we were all expected to be home for supper anyway. I thought about those days when I recently read where someone reminded us that we will not realize when we have played our last game with our friends. As I read that, I realized that I do not remember a single person who played in those games nor do I remember the last time we played ball on that field.

It's just one more reminder that life is short. I've circled the sun 76 times now, and that is still a short time compared to eternity. When I was in my 20s I would have considered someone my age now as ancient. Now I prefer the word seasoned! I've lived a full life and been able to do far more than a kid growing up on dairy farms in Indiana ever dreamed of doing, but I also realize I could have done so much more. I regret some of the things I've done, but I regret even more the things I didn't do when I had the opportunity. Nothing can be done about either one, but we can also start where we are and seek new opportunities to do what needs to be done.

So many people reach a certain age and think that their lives are over. I could encourage you to Google what famous people did in their advanced years. It's an eye-opener! As long as we have breath in our bodies we have the opportunity to made a difference in the world and in the lives of people around us. Age is just a number; it's not a determinative factor of what you can do.

Jesus said He came to give us life and life more abundantly. That means that He came to offer us eternal life when this life ends, and a full life until that happens. He wants to bless us that we might be a blessing to others. See, the only way to live a fulfilling life is to live it to be a blessing to other people.

I know I have more days behind me than I have ahead of me, but I want to live those days in such a way that I can bless as many people as possible. I want to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ. I want to see people break out of bondage to sin, to debt, to addictions, to broken relationships, to shame and guilt. Those that the Son sets free is free indeed, and I want people to find freedom in Jesus Christ.

Don't let a number determine what you can do. Ask God what He would have you do, and then do it. You will find out quickly how rewarding life can be.

Thanksgiving

Since we are approaching the Thanksgiving season I felt it was appropriate to preach this Sunday on Thanksgiving. Many people move straight from Halloween to Christmas and give little thought to Thanksgiving except for the turkey and watching football games. This mindset comes from an entitlement mentality. Since we are entitled to everything we have we feel no reason to be thankful for anything.

Growing up my parents hammered into my mind that "Society doesn't owe you anything." I must have heard it a hundred times, and I didn't want to hear it even once. Of course society owed me many things since, after all, the world revolved around me. That kind of thinking is bad enough in a child, but it's a horrible way to live as an adult. Yet, many do. Just this week I read about the pain felt by Gen-Z college graduates who struggle with the demands of working a 40-hour week. Several years ago I owned a business and was trying to hire a high school graduate for the summer to help answer the phone and do some filing. She expressed a concern about having to work every day because she really wanted to spend time at the pool with her friends. I told her to go swimming and I'd hire someone else.

Every single day I spend time giving God thanks for the blessings I enjoy in life. I thank Him for my wife of 56 years, our children and grandchildren. I thank Him for our good health when so many of my high school classmates have passed away or struggle with major health issues. I thank Him that my life has purpose and meaning. I thank Him for the success of our auction business. I thank Him for the church He has recently called me to serve. I thank Him for the financial security we enjoy. No, we're not rich, but it wasn't that long ago we struggled to pay our bills. I thank Him that He allows me to have a clear mind that is able to read and absorb information. I thank Him that there is not a moment in my life where He is not present and watching over me. And, yes, I thank Him for the tough times we've had that drew me closer to Him.

I want to live my life grateful for all that God has done in my life and continues to do. I also want to be grateful for the people God has brought into my life who have encouraged me and blessed me. Zig Ziglar used to say that if you see a turtle on a fencepost you can be sure he didn't get there by himself. Believe me when I say that I could not have accomplished anything worthwhile without the people God brought into my life at the right time. I couldn't begin to list them all.

There's nothing wrong with family dinners this holiday season, and there's nothing wrong with watching the football games. But, I do hope you'll take a few minutes, at least, and think about the things for which you are are thankful. And, if you need help in living a thankful life, I invite you to our worship service at North Madison Baptist Church this Sunday. Our service begins at 10:30, and we will have a place for you. 

What is God doing in your church?

Can you identify three things God is currently doing in your congregation that would not be happening if He was not involved? Some churches could name several things; others would struggle to identify even one thing that God is doing. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but it seems that there should be things happening in churches that only God could do. If nothing is going on in a church that doesn't require supernatural power and favor, then something may be wrong.

Our Sunday night Bible study is currently going through the book of Acts. Over and over again we find God doing things far beyond what any human could do on his or her own. Some would say that God doesn't work like that today, but I would challenge that and ask them to prove that statement. Maybe the reason more of us do not see God at work as in Acts is that we are limiting Him by our doubts and unbelief. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There is no reason He cannot be actively at work in our churches today.

One of the joys of being a pastor is seeing God work in people's lives. For reasons of confidentiality I cannot speak of specific instances, but I can say that in the past few weeks I've witnessed God do some amazing things in people's lives. Lives are being changed because of the Holy Spirit moving in those lives. A church where God is so active is an exciting place to be, and right now the church I'm currently serving as Transitional Pastor is such a place.

Do you pray asking the Holy Spirit to work His will in the lives of your congregation? That is one of my constant prayers, but it's not enough to just pray that. We have to give Him room to work. I'm in favor of structure, but we must not become so structured that the Spirit has no opportunity to break through to impact people's lives.

A pastor can't change a person's life. Our best sermons can't change someone's life. We can be instruments God uses to help bring about that change, but only God is capable of truly changing someone's life.

Does your church give the Holy Spirit room in which to work, or do you quench the Spirit? Are things happening in your church that can only be contributed to the work of God in people's lives? If that isn't happening, ask yourself why. If it is happening, give Him the praise!

Thanksgiving

This past Sunday I encouraged our congregation to begin to list the things for which they are thankful. We have had it so good for so long in America that many have forgotten how blessed they really are. Yes, some might have more than others, but even those with little have far more than many people throughout the world. If you have food to eat, clean water to drink, and family and friends who love you, you are blessed.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day I have thought about some of the things for which I am thankful.

I am thankful to God for loving me enough that He sent His only begotten Son to die for my sins. I am thankful that He has extended His grace towards me, forgiven me of my sins, and adopted me into His family.

I am thankful for my family. I had parents who loved me enough to discipline me and teach me right and wrong. Fifty years ago I married a wonderful girl who has continued to show me unconditional love and is my best friend. We have two children who have been a blessing to me in every way, and we have seven grandchildren who are a joy and delight.

I am thankful for good health. Yes, I have some health challenges as most people have as they get older, but they are minor. There are many much younger than me who have much more critical health issues.

I am thankful to serve a wonderful church, Madison FBC, as their Transitional Pastor. This is an incredible church with great people committed to ministering to this community and around the world. It is a privilege to serve them in this capacity while they seek their next pastor.

I am thankful for the opportunities God has given me. Growing up on dairy farms in southern Indiana I never dreamed I would serve as the pastor of a church for 20 years, serve in judicatory ministry for 14 years, publish books related to ministry, be invited to speak to numerous denominational groups throughout the United States and Canada, and now continue my ministry even after I "retired."

I am thankful that God has brought us through many valleys in our lives. I've enjoyed many mountaintop experiences, but I've also known deep valleys. In every instance God proved Himself faithful bringing us through every one. Jesus has proven over and over again that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

I am thankful that when my race here on earth is done I have the promise of eternal life with Him. My last breath on earth will be my first in eternity where I will be reunited with many loved ones who have gone on before. Why anyone would reject Jesus Christ and the eternal life He offers is beyond me.

I am thankful for the many freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America. There are many people around the world who can only dream of the freedoms that many of us take for granted. I am thankful for the opportunity to have served in the US Navy to help protect those freedoms for all who call this nation home.

I am thankful for the friends I've made along the way. It has been said that if a man has 2-3 really close friends he is fortunate. Well, I am beyond fortunate as I have far more than that. I have friends who have stood by me in good times and bad, friends who would literally do anything to help me in a time of need, friends who can laugh with me in the good times and cry with me in the bad times.

This list could go on and on. I am indeed a blessed individual who has much for which to be thankful. Thursday will be much more than a day to eat turkey and watch football games. Our family will gather and do that, but we will also celebrate the many things for which we are thankful. I pray you and your family will as well.